Not only does Thanksgiving signal the start of the holiday season, it is also one of the biggest holiday shopping weekends of the year. In response, the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office (FCSO) is preparing for increased pedestrian and vehicular traffic in retail locations throughout the county and will have increased patrols to help ensure the safety of shoppers, businesses, and their employees.
Starting on November 24th, FCSO will be participating in a Crash Awareness & Reduction Effort (CARE) Patrol Operation thru November 28th. Operation CARE focuses on increased law enforcement presence on Interstates and Highways to reduce crashes.
Members of FCSO’s Motor/Traffic Unit will conduct traffic enforcement details focusing on seatbelt violations, speeding, distracted, and aggressive driving providing enforcement and awareness to motorists.
Another goal for this Thanksgiving weekend is to reduce and prevent crime opportunities through proactive operations. FCSO reminds residents and visitors to follow crime prevention strategies:
- Lock your car doors and hide personal valuables.
- Be aware of your surroundings, be alert and report any suspicious activity.
- Do not leave purses/handbags, cell phones, and packages in your vehicle or visible.
“We will be working hard to prevent crime opportunities during the holiday season and Operation
CARE has been implemented to enhance safety on the roads throughout Flagler County,” Sheriff Rick Staly said. “The holiday weekend is exciting for many, but we ask the community to remember to follow traffic laws, not drive distracted or impaired, and to help prevent becoming victims by locking your cars. Our goal is to ensure a safe holiday shopping experience for you and our businesses. We hope everyone has a fun and safe Thanksgiving weekend Remember, drive sober or get pulled over!”
Date: November 24, 2021
Prepared by: Melissa Morreale
Release #: 2021-273
